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In a significant political development, House Speaker Mike Johnson has called on fellow Republicans to support President Donald Trump after the president brokered a deal with Senate Democrats to prevent a government shutdown. According to sources familiar with a Friday evening lawmaker-only call, Johnson acknowledged his frustration with the outcome but praised Trump’s negotiation skills.
“The president has made a play call, and we have to support him on it,” Johnson reportedly told House Republicans, urging them to back Trump’s decision despite reservations from some party members.
The Senate passed a revised government funding package Friday that will finance federal operations through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, with one notable exception: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The unusual compromise came after Democrats abandoned an earlier bipartisan funding plan due to concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Democrats have been pushing for stronger oversight of immigration enforcement following two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal law enforcement during immigration-related protests in Minneapolis.
Johnson revealed that he had visited the White House Wednesday to advocate for maintaining the original funding plan. “Opening the Pandora’s Box of amending this thing could be a dangerous prospect,” he reportedly warned, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions.
Despite these efforts, Trump ultimately struck an agreement with Senate Democrats that puts DHS on a different funding timeline than the rest of the government. The deal extends current DHS funding for just two weeks while new bipartisan negotiations on immigration enforcement continue.
The initial bipartisan DHS funding bill had included some oversight measures for ICE, such as mandating body cameras and training for public engagement and de-escalation. Democrats are now seeking more substantial reforms after recent controversies surrounding immigration enforcement actions.
Several Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about the compromise, worried it could potentially constrain the administration’s immigration enforcement capabilities. During Friday’s call, at least one House Republican voiced such reservations, sources said. Johnson reportedly responded by acknowledging his own frustration but added, “I’ve got to tip my hat to the president. He knows the art of the deal.”
The Speaker emphasized that Trump now needed Republican support to “navigate the next two weeks” of negotiations with Democrats. Despite the compromises, Johnson reportedly sounded optimistic about Republicans maintaining leverage in the talks. He noted that ICE had already received funding under what he called Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” and that it would primarily be agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) facing potential funding shortfalls.
In a strategic message to his caucus, Johnson suggested Republicans could blame Democrats if those critical agencies experienced funding problems, reportedly saying, “We can hang that on their necks.”
Trump defended the deal on his social media platform Truth Social, stating, “I am working hard with Congress to ensure that we are able to fully fund the Government, without delay.” He emphasized that the agreement funds most government operations through September while providing an extension for DHS, including “the very important Coast Guard, which we are expanding and rebuilding like never before.”
The House is expected to vote on the legislation by Monday evening, bringing an end to this latest round of budget brinkmanship but setting the stage for continued negotiations over immigration enforcement policies in the coming weeks.
The unusual compromise highlights the complex political dynamics at play as Trump works with congressional leaders to advance his agenda while navigating relationships with both parties on Capitol Hill.
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6 Comments
From an investor’s perspective, I’ll be watching to see how this political dynamic impacts funding for homeland security and border operations. Potential changes could affect related mining, energy, and commodity sectors.
Good point. Any shifts in funding priorities or enforcement approaches could have ripple effects across industries that service the DHS and border security functions.
Interesting political maneuvering. Trump’s dealmaking skills are certainly on display, though it will be telling how this plays out with the GOP. I’m curious to see if Johnson can rally his party behind the president’s decision.
Agreed, the dynamics within the Republican party will be important to watch here. Trump’s ability to broker compromises, even if they’re unpopular with some factions, could set the tone for future negotiations.
This situation highlights the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement and the role of federal agencies like ICE. It will be a delicate balance for the administration to navigate.
Absolutely, the fatal shootings during protests are likely fueling Democratic demands for stronger oversight. Finding the right policy solutions on this sensitive issue will be critical.